Method and device for controlling an acoustic warning system of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle's acoustic warning system, the method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (31) first data representing the detection of imminent vehicle movement; - transmitting (32) second data representing a command to activate the vehicle's acoustic warning system to a controller of the vehicle's acoustic warning system, the transmission being triggered by the reception of the first data. Figure 3 (for the abstract)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling an acoustic warning system of a vehicle - Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling an acoustic warning system of a vehicle, particularly but not exclusively an electric or hybrid type motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and a device for controlling the activation and / or deactivation of an acoustic warning device of a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] The ECE R138 standard requires that all new type-approved electric or hybrid vehicles be equipped with an Audible Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) if they fail to reach a minimum required noise level. This regulation aims to address the problem of insufficient noise levels, inherent to these types of vehicles, in order to ensure greater safety for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. The AVAS is designed to emit an artificial sound when the vehicle is traveling at low speeds, generally between 0 and 20 km / h, a threshold below which aerodynamic and tire noise are insufficient to signal the vehicle's presence. This requirement is part of an effort to make vehicles more audibly perceptible, with the goal of preventing accidents related to their particularly quiet operation.

[0003] However, while meeting the need for warnings during low-speed phases, such a system does not address situations where the vehicle is stationary but could start moving again, particularly in dense urban environments or near pedestrian crossings. Indeed, the absence of such an audible warning during this phase limits the ability of vulnerable road users in the vehicle's vicinity to anticipate any potential vehicle movement, thus increasing the risk of dangerous situations. Summary of the present invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the technological background problems described above.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an acoustic warning system of a vehicle, the method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - receipt of initial data indicating the detection of imminent vehicle movement; and - transmission of second data representing a command to activate the vehicle's acoustic warning system to a controller of the vehicle's acoustic warning system, the transmission being triggered by the reception of the first data.

[0006] The detection of imminent movement automatically triggers the activation of the vehicle's audible warning system, even if the vehicle has not yet begun moving forward or backward. A road user in the vicinity of the vehicle is warned in advance that the vehicle is about to begin moving, thus improving the safety of road users around the vehicle.

[0007] According to one variant, the first data may be representative of a driver of the vehicle lifting their foot from a vehicle brake pedal, while the vehicle speed is zero.

[0008] According to one variant, the first data may be representative of a decrease in a hydraulic pressure value in a vehicle braking system, while the vehicle speed is zero, the decrease being greater than a first threshold.

[0009] According to one variant, the first threshold may correspond to a decrease in the hydraulic pressure value in the vehicle's braking system equal to 50%.

[0010] According to one variant, the method may include an additional step of receiving third data representative of a detection of the presence of a person at a distance from the vehicle less than a second threshold, the transmission of the second data being triggered by the reception of the first and third data.

[0011] According to one variant, the second threshold corresponds to a distance equal to 2 meters.

[0012] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a system for an acoustic warning device for a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured to implement the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0013] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0015] Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or a intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0016] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0017] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk drive.

[0018] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, in particular, be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0019] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 3, in which:

[0021] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a road environment including a vehicle equipped with an acoustic warning system, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] [Fig.2] illustrates a device configured to control the acoustic warning system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a method for controlling the acoustic warning system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0024] A method and a control device for an acoustic warning system of a vehicle will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description that follows.

[0025] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow for the identification and distinction of different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0026] According to a particular and non-limiting example of an embodiment of the present invention, the control of an acoustic warning system is implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle, in particular by one or more processors of this or these computers.

[0027] Initial data indicating the imminent movement of the vehicle are received, for example, from at least one sensor on board the vehicle. This initial data corresponds, for example, to the driver releasing the brake pedal. Following the receipt of this initial data, a second set of data indicating a command to activate the audible warning system is transmitted to an audible warning system controller, for example, to trigger the emission of a sound through the vehicle's exterior speakers.

[0028] Fig. 1 illustrates a road environment 1 in which the vehicle 10 travels, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] The road environment of [Fig.1] includes a vehicle 10.

[0030] Vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with electric motor(s) or a hybrid vehicle with a combustion engine and one or more electric motors. Vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, such as a car, a truck, or a bus.

[0031] The road environment 1 according to [Fig.1] includes an intersection between two traffic lanes, and the vehicle 10 is stopped on one of the traffic lanes.

[0032] The vehicle 10 includes one or more driver assistance systems, known as ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System), including an acoustic vehicle alerting system, known as AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System). Such an AVAS system generates artificial sounds on electric or hybrid vehicles, particularly at low speeds, to alert vulnerable road users (pedestrians, cyclists, scooter or Segway users) to the presence of the vehicle 10 and to simulate the same noise level as a combustion engine vehicle. The AVAS system may include one or more speed sensors to determine vehicle speed. The AVAS system also includes one or more external loudspeakers configured to emit an artificial sound.

[0033] The AVAS system uses speed sensors to detect the speed of vehicle 10 between 0 and 20 km / h, and generates an artificial sound when vehicle 10 is traveling within this speed range. Above 20 km / h, the rolling noise caused by the movement of vehicle 10 is sufficient to alert vulnerable road users to the movement of vehicle 10.

[0034] The road environment 1 may also include one or more vulnerable users located around the vehicle 10, for example a pedestrian 11 moving on a sidewalk, or for example a cyclist 12, travelling on the same traffic lane as the car 10 or on another traffic lane of the road environment 1.

[0035] Vehicle 10 is stopped at a pedestrian crossing located on its lane of travel.

[0036] A control process for an acoustic warning system is implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle 10, in particular by one or more processors of this or these computers.

[0037] In a first operation of the process, initial data representative of the detection of an imminent movement of the vehicle 10 are obtained, for example from a brake pedal sensor, or a hydraulic pressure sensor in the braking circuit.

[0038] The imminent start-up of vehicle 10 corresponds to the execution of one or more actions by the driver of vehicle 10 indicating that vehicle 10, which is stationary, will initiate a movement, either forward or backward.

[0039] For example, a driver of vehicle 10 may wish to restart their vehicle after stopping while approaching an intersection in the road environment 1, for example at a traffic light, or in front of a pedestrian crossing to allow a vulnerable road user to cross. The initial data allows the driver to anticipate the resumption of movement of vehicle 10.

[0040] According to one variant, the first data may be representative of the driver of vehicle 10 lifting one foot from a brake pedal of vehicle 10, while the speed of the vehicle is zero.

[0041] For example, a driver lifting their foot from the pedal can generate a data transmission from the brake pedal sensor to a computer in the audible warning system, via one or more communication buses of the vehicle's on-board system 10, for example, a CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458), Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3), or LIN (Local Interconnect Network). Thus, Lifting your foot off the brake pedal indicates that the vehicle is about to start moving.

[0042] According to one variant, the first data may be representative of a decrease in a hydraulic pressure value in a braking system of the vehicle 10, while the speed of the vehicle is zero, said decrease being greater than a first threshold.

[0043] For example, the hydraulic pressure sensor in the braking circuit can measure the brake fluid pressure. When the brake fluid pressure is at its maximum, the brakes are engaged. A pressure drop exceeding a first threshold relative to the maximum pressure when the brakes are applied can indicate that the brakes are being released, signaling the imminent movement of the vehicle 10. This drop triggers the transmission of data from this sensor, for example, to a control unit of the audible warning system, via one or more communication buses of the vehicle's onboard system 10.

[0044] According to one variant, the first threshold may correspond to a decrease in the hydraulic pressure value in said braking system equal to 50%.

[0045] A first threshold equal to 50% allows the sensitivity of the detection to be adjusted and avoids false detection of vehicle movement, for example by avoiding detection of movement during a slight drop in brake fluid pressure.

[0046] In a second operation of the process, second data representing an activation command of the acoustic warning system of the vehicle 10 are transmitted to a controller of said acoustic warning system of said vehicle 10. The transmission is triggered by the reception of the first data.

[0047] The activation control allows the generation of an artificial sound by the acoustic warning system of the vehicle 10 to be triggered. The artificial sound can be transmitted by the acoustic warning system to one or more external speakers of the vehicle 10.

[0048] The external loudspeaker(s) may be, for example, dynamic, piezoelectric or horn loudspeakers.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the vehicle 10 may include one or more external loudspeakers located at the front of the vehicle 10, for example behind the front grille, or near the front wheels. The forward positioning of the external loudspeaker(s) of the vehicle 10 allows for the warning of vulnerable road users located at the front of the vehicle 10, and can simulate the sound behavior of an internal combustion engine, which is generally located at the front of vehicles.

[0050] According to another embodiment, the vehicle 10 may also include one or more external loudspeakers located at the rear of the vehicle, allowing the vehicle 10 to be signaled when it is moving in reverse.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the artificial sound generated by the acoustic warning system of the vehicle 10 may be different depending on whether the vehicle 10 is moving forward or backward. Differentiating the artificial sound according to the type of movement allows a vulnerable road user near the vehicle 10 to identify the direction of travel of the vehicle 10.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the sound level of the artificial sound generated by the acoustic warning system can be in a range of 56 dB to 75 dB. This range corresponds to the sound level range specified in the ECE RI38 standard, making it possible to generate a sound sufficiently audible for users in the vicinity of the vehicle 10 without the sound level being too high.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the method may further include a step of receiving third data points representing the detection of a person's presence at a distance from the vehicle 10 less than a second threshold. For example, these third data points are received from sensors on the vehicle 10, such as one or more radar sensors, and / or one or more LIDAR sensors, and / or a video camera. The transmission of the second data point is triggered following the reception of the first and third data points. This additional step makes it possible to avoid activating the vehicle 10's audible warning system when this is not necessary, for example, if the vehicle 10 begins moving in a road environment 1 with no road users within range of the audible signal from the vehicle 10's external loudspeaker(s).

[0054] According to one variant, the second threshold may correspond to a distance of 2 meters. The sound signal broadcast by the vehicle's external speaker(s) may not be heard beyond a few meters; the second threshold prevents the sound signal from being broadcast if no vulnerable road user is near the vehicle, thus reducing the energy consumption of the vehicle's acoustic warning system 10.

[0055] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a device 2 configured for controlling an acoustic warning system of a vehicle, for example vehicle 10, according to specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. The device 2 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0056] The device 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 2. The processor 20 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 2 further includes at least one memory 21 corresponding, for example, to volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or includes a memory storage device which may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0057] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 21.

[0058] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 2 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0059] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 comprises a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 22 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency RF interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the Sigfox type using UBN radio technology (from the English "Ultra Narrow Band", in French "bande ultra étroite"), or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (from the English "Long-Term Evolution" or in French "Evolution à long terme"), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-avancé), 5G; - USB interface (from the English "Universal Serial Bus" or "Universal Serial Bus" in French); - HDMI interface (from the English "High Definition Multimedia Interface", or "High Definition Multimedia Interface" in French); - LIN interface (from the English "Local Interconnect Network", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0060] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 includes a communication interface 23 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a wired network of type LVDS (from the English "Low Voltage Differential Signaling" or in French "Transmission diffélle basse-voltage").

[0061] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 240, touch or not, one or more loudspeakers 250 and / or other peripherals 260 (projection system) via output interfaces 24, 25 and 26 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 2.

[0062] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of the various steps in a method for controlling an acoustic warning system of a vehicle traveling in a road environment, for example the first vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a computer or set of computers of the vehicle or by the device 2 of Figure 2.

[0063] In a first step 31, initial data representative of the detection of an imminent movement of the vehicle are received.

[0064] In a second step 32, second data representing an activation command of the vehicle's acoustic warning system are transmitted to a controller of the acoustic warning system, the transmission of the second data being triggered by the reception of the first data.

[0065] In an optional third step 33, third data points are received. The third data points represent the detection of the presence of a person at a distance from the vehicle less than a second threshold, the transmission of the second data point being triggered by the reception of the first and third data points.

[0066] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to [Fig.1] apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.3].

[0067] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for controlling a vehicle's acoustic warning system that would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling an acoustic warning system of a vehicle (10), said method being implemented by a processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (31) first data representing a detection of an imminent movement of said vehicle (10); and - transmitting (32) second data representing a command to activate the acoustic warning system of said vehicle (10) to a controller of said acoustic warning system of said vehicle (10), said transmission being triggered by the reception of said first data.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first data are representative of a driver of the vehicle (10) lifting their foot from a brake pedal of said vehicle (10) when the speed of said vehicle (10) is zero.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first data are representative of a decrease in a hydraulic pressure value in a braking system of said vehicle (10), while the speed of said vehicle (10) is zero, said decrease being greater than a first threshold.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein said first threshold corresponds to a decrease in the hydraulic pressure value in said braking system of said vehicle (10) equal to 50%.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said method includes an additional step (33) of receiving third data representing a detection of the presence of a person at a distance from the vehicle (10) less than a second threshold, said transmission of the second data being triggered by the reception of the first and third data.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein said second threshold corresponds to a distance equal to 2 meters.

7. Computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when said program is executed by a processor.

8. Computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program comprising instructions is recorded 11 for carrying out the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. Control device (2) for an acoustic warning system of a vehicle (10), said control device (2) comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising a device (2) according to claim 9.